Analysis of the start to the first hurdle in 110 m hurdles at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use observational analysis to evaluate the relationships between variables measured at the start of the men's 110 hurdles event and race performance itself. Data were obtained for competitors in 2015 IAAF World Athletics Championships, in Beijing, China. The athletes' start was quantified by reaction time and time to the first hurdle; their action over the first hurdle was quantified by the take-off distance (i.e., the distance from the last step to the first hurdle), the landing distance, and the total distance in the air over the first hurdle. Regression analyses revealed that the combination of one measure of the start (either reaction time or time to the first hurdle) and the measure of propulsion over the first hurdle (distance in air over the first hurdle) predicted performance (SEE = 0.23 s in the heats, SEE = 0.16 s in the semi-finals, SEE = 0.09 s in the finals). In addition, looking at performances in the finals, where all athletes with available data used a seven-step approach to the first hurdle, inclusion of stride length data improved the prediction somewhat (SEE = 0.07 s). The results demonstrate that a combination of a fast start, rapid acceleration, and strong drive over the first hurdle quantifiably explains and contributes to performance in the men's 110 m hurdles at the highest level.